The Power of a Seed | Pastor Raph | Feb. 16, 2025

Power of a seed

When reflecting on the patriarchs, apostles, and early church fathers—those heroes of faith—consider their future vision of godliness. 

Most did not fully realize their dreams and promises during their lifetimes. Take Moses, the deliverer and lawgiver who guided a nomadic people to become a strong nation in the wilderness. He never saw the complete fulfillment of his vision in his lifetime. Only at the time of Jesus’ transfiguration did he step into the promised land. Nevertheless, Moses was part of a generational sowing project.

God’s eternal love project

In one of our groups, I challenge our members to define themselves with a noun instead of an adjective. A title that would not be a role or a quality but a substantive 

In God's love project, adopting an eternal perspective transcending the immediate results visible to us is essential. Our conviction for the future must be as heartfelt as our current reality.

I want to begin by exploring the origin of true love in this new series on Love's blueprint. Recognize that the essence of love necessitates an object of affection beyond oneself. If love isn't directed towards someone other than yourself, it cannot be genuine love.

1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

God is love. With that definition, even as confusing and mind-boggling as it could be, the concept of the triune God brings sense to what John meant. 

In the past eternity, there was only God. But if God is love, He must be a communal love. This is not polytheism or paganism; rather, it represents a complete, perfect, selfless, altruistic unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a welcoming, expanding, and growing community of love that created us to be part of this never-ending generational love project. That is way the first words coming out of God’s mouth over humanity was.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness […] 

Genesis 1:28-29 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 

So, to understand love, we must look to the perfect expression of love.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Divine love triumphed over divine wrath by divine self-sacrifice.”

He is not only the propitiator, He is the initiator.

1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

This love is distinct from the affection you have for your spouse or the bonds shared with friends and children. It is the love of God. What are the characteristics of this perfect love? 1 Corinthians 13 outlines a few key elements.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. […]

I want to emphasize the verse 7 and 8.

7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

Love is meant to be a generation seed. And with that in mind, we will share the love power of seed.

The Power Of A Seed: 

Abraham was old. His time was coming to an end, yet his focus was not on himself but on his family's future. He was not thinking about what he could accomplish but what his son would inherit. His concern was not just for Isaac but for generations yet to come.

Right after God rescued Issac from being sacrificed and tested Abraham’s level of integrity over the promised covenant, He gave him in Genesis 15. God reaffirms the covenant.

Genesis 22:17-18 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring [your seed] as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring [your seed] shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Abraham understood that it would depend on his seed to carry out the promise. The promise would outlive him. 

Abraham knew that what God was doing through him was ultimately about his children, his grandchildren, and generations beyond. His most significant work wasn’t what he built but who he raised.

This is the heart of fatherhood. A loving father doesn’t live only for himself. He sows into his children so that they can walk in greater blessing than he did.

Generational love

Generational love is not limited by what you can see now but by sacrificial hope.

Are we thinking generationally? Are we preparing the next generation to carry the vision forward?

A great harvest begins with a single, divinely blessed seed. I wonder if We all want the blessing, but do we value the seed that starts it all?

There is a harvest of a strong family that starts with a father who leads well.

There is a blessed harvest of a strong church that starts with faithful leaders.

Harvesting godly children starts with parents who protect and nurture the seed of faith in their home.

Do we recognize the harvest that has already started in our family? Are we valuing the seed God has placed in our hands?

Protecting the seed

Abraham genuinely cares about ensuring his offspring fulfill the promise. When it came season for Isaac to marry, Abraham got involved. This involvement was not unusual given the historical and cultural background. Even today, in many parts of the world, parents often take on the role of finding partners for their children. However, in Abraham's case, it is more than a cultural and historical demand. He is focused on protecting the promise and safeguarding the vision.

Genesis 24:1-9 1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

Abraham understood that Issac would not go much farther in life, in the divine promise, if he would pick the wrong person to be his wife.

If you are married and maybe have grandchildren already, you know that much of your life’s success has to do with the right person beside you. Isn’t that true?

Helping find the right person 

That is not an easy task.

Proverbs 31:10 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”

It is like finding a treasure. It is hidden and hard to find. However, there are places where one must not look for it. You won’t find a treasure digging for gold in a sandbox—you’re just going to find cat poop and disappointment.

There are two principles here. One for the married couples.

Husband, the Bible connects two significant words: the verb "to find" and the noun "Jules," which means treasure or something precious. When you think about these concepts of searching and Jules, what do you envision? It brings to mind a treasure hunt. This means you should approach your relationship with your wife as a weekly treasure hunt experience. She shouldn’t be an easy pursuit. The challenge and adventure involved in this makes your relationship thrilling. Always keep this perspective in mind.

The second is for the singles. But married couples can apply some truth here, too.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? […] 

If people look in the wrong place, they will find the wrong thing.

God wants your household to be equally yoked. This means sharing burdens and caring for one another. For singles, having the same beliefs and faith is essential before saying "I do." However, for married couples, the principle is that the wife does not make any commitments without the husband's involvement, and the husband should not proceed unless the wife is equally yoked.

 • Morality and Values – Align on ethical beliefs and moral principles.

 • Finances – Discuss budgeting, saving, debt, and financial goals.

 • Children – Agree on parenting styles, discipline, and education.

 • Church life – Define expectations for worship and ministry participation.

 • Relationships with In-Laws – Set boundaries and expectations for family interactions.

 • Employment – Align on career goals, work-life balance, and job expectations.

For the singles, remember, the best way to find a kingdom-minded person is to seek the kingdom first.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Abraham limited the search to make it easier for the servant to find it. At that moment, the servant suggests bringing Isaac with him. But Abraham stayed resolved.

Genesis 24:8 – “If the woman is not willing to follow you… only do not take my son back there.”

He would not allow Isaac to return to a land that was not part of God’s promise. There are some things we can never go back to. As fathers, we cannot return to passivity or neglect our role. As leaders, we cannot return to operating in fear or doubt. As believers, we cannot return to an old life that God called us out of.

The places we choose for our children to grow up in are so important. The people we invite to be part of their lives truly matter. The spiritual environment we nurture is essential.

Are we being thoughtful about the roots we are giving our family? Are we promoting a space where our children can flourish spiritually?

Some of us are planting our vision in soil that God has already called us out of. We cannot return to old ways, old habits, or old places that do not align with God’s plan for our family.

Language was a problem in your past; do not permit it to be part of your house now. Alcoholism was part of your past; do not allow it to creep in through the back door of your family. Disrespect was the standard mode of your upbringing, so do not permit it to become the culture of your home now. 

Abraham Trusted In The Supernatural Work Of God

You must learn to trust in God for the future of your children. I spoke with Pastor Warton about raising children and allowing them to make their own decisions. I learned that there is a balance; we cannot define who they will choose, but we can guide them in their search for a better chance of making the right decision. Most importantly, we can pray in advance for God's providence to be upon our children in due time.

Genesis 24:7 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

Abraham did everything he could, but he knew that only God could bring the promise to fulfillment.

As fathers, as leaders, we can:

 • Train our children

 • Teach them the Word

 • Provide for them

But at the end of the day, we must trust God with them. We must believe that God will be faithful to His promises. Trust in God’s supernatural power for our family’s future. Be resolved about your family's faith.

Your marriage is from the Lord

Recently, a brother in San Francisco asked me how to determine if my wife is truly the providential choice and God's selection as my partner for life. This was an insightful question. Many couples facing difficulties may feel uncertain, but I believe God desires to provide you with a solid foundation to rely on during your moments of crisis.

To begin with, God's way is for you to leave your parents' home. You cling to the spouse you have chosen to live with. This bond is now, the unity that God has joined together. 

You chose, and God says, I joined you together.

Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

What are the common problems, couples don’t know the best roles and duties of a husband and wife. Read this week the following passages.

(Ephesians 5:22-31; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Colossians 3:18-19; Titus 2:1-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7).

 Biblical Roles of Husband and Wife

Husband’s Role

1. Love and Lead – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself (Ephesians 5:25-28

2. Provide and Protect – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8

3. Honor and Understand – Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3:7

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh (Ephesians 5:31)

4. Encourage Spiritual Growth – Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them (Colossians 3:19,)

5. Be Faithful – But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does (1 Corinthians 7:2-4)

Wife’s Role

1. Submit and Respect – Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24, ESV).

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord (Colossians 3:18, ESV).

2. Love and Support – And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:4-5, ESV).

3. Prioritize the Home – To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:5, ESV).

4. Be Gentle and Modest – Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the Word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:1-4).

5. Be Faithful – The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).

Proverbs 18:22 – He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Psalm 127:1 – Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.